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Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway

February 9, 2021 / Historical Sydney, Sydney / 0 comment

Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway

A living memorial and commemoration site in Sydney’s inner-west, the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway honours Australians who fought for their country during World War II.

The walkway runs over 800m from Rhodes Station to Concord Hospital, along the mangrove-lined shores of Brays Bay on the Parramatta River.

According to the official Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway site, “A principal focus is on the sacrifices made during key Papua New Guinea battles which took place in 1942-43 along the Kokoda Track, at Milne Bay on the south-eastern tip of Papua, and at Buna, Gona, and Sanananda on the northern coastline.”

The official start of the walk is at the Memorial Rose Garden near Concord Hospital. The Rose Garden, features two semi-circular Memorial Walls, set amongst beautiful roses (visit in summer to see them in full bloom). On the walls are plaques dedicated to the memory of Australians who served in the war.

The Bruce Kingsbury VC Path links the Rose Garden to the rainforest-lined Walkway, where 22 audio-visual stations have been nestled into the bush alongside the path.

Each station describes a significant place or military engagement which took place along the Kokoda Track, at Milne Bay, and the northern coastal regions of Papua New Guinea. The lush vegetation lining the Walkway is reminiscent of the Kokoda Track.

The Killoola Street entrance brings you to Rhodes Park, where you’ll find the Kokoda Cafe, offering breakfast and lunch with traditional brekkie-style dishes and salads for those who are health conscious. There is outdoor seating available.

Restrooms are also available at this entrance, as well as the Five Senses Garden and play area for people of all ages, toddler to seniors.

Inside the Five Senses Garden is a selection of play and discovery equipment for children, as well as opportunities for people in the community, including those with disabilities, to get involved with the garden through workshops and classes. The garden was designed to function as “an inter-generational garden where children can play and older people can learn and feel less isolated.”

The Walkway ends at Brays Bay Reserve, which has a large grassed area, two playgrounds, one fenced for younger children and one unfenced for older kids, and picnic facilities.

Envy Deli Cafe: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Summer Hill, Sydney

September 7, 2016 / Inner West, Summer Hills, Sydney, Sydney Food / 2 Comments

The little inner west suburb of Summer Hill is often left out when one thinks of upmarket family cafe options. A lot of families, however, live in the area so it came of no surprise to hear about Envy Deli Cafe, an extremely kid-friendly cafe in the neighbourhood.

From the front, Envy looks like a regular cafe, but a closer look in the window reveals adorable teddy race car treats and tea cups made out of marshmallows. It’s a dead give away that they get a lot of local kids in here!

While there is seating in the front of the cafe, it’s the courtyard out the back with the massive jacaranda tree giving diners shade that is the prime seating area. While the courtyard can be accessed through the front of the cafe, it does have a very narrow door that might prevent strollers from entering. A few metres around the side there is a door leading directly into the courtyard.

While kids clearly rule at Envy, there are plenty of diners of all ages enjoying the gorgeous spring weather on the day we visit. A toy box, colouring books and tins of pencils are stashed near the bathroom for kids to grab and play with at the tables while awaiting their meal.

The kids meals are a bit light on the menu – just the one “kids breakfast” and a kid-sized version of the pancakes, but the three kiddos we are dining with are happy with the choices: The Kiddie Breakfast (1 scrambled egg, chipolata sausages and toast, $8.50) and Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes (with cinnamon ricotta and maple, and the blueberry swapped for strawberry, $10).

The adults order light lunches: The Roast Beetroot Salad (pear, fetta, crushed pistachios and cherry tomatoes, $16) and Smashed Avocado and Fetta on Toast ($9.50) with added roast tomato $4.

Our meals arrive quickly thanks to the friendly staff, who weave in and out of the tables, tree trunk and tiny guests darting to and from the toy box. It’s chaotic but in a contented way. There’s very little in the way of children wailing or whining thanks to so much entertainment to be had.

The food is delicious and quickly polished off, and we grab the kids, order kid-sized milkshakes to go in chocolate and strawberry, and head to the nearby playground on the far side of the shopping complex across the road.

With the playground gate safely locked behind us, we let the kids run off their milkshakes while we relax in the sun.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Minimal – bring a folding stroller and enter through the rear.
Easy access: No – a step and narrow door in the front.
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Envy Deli Cafe
109 Smith St,
Summer Hill NSW 2130
Phone: (02) 9286 6000
Prices: $$
Hours:Mon-Sat 6am-5pm, Sun 6:30am-5pm
Get Directions

5th Earl Rosebery: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Sydney

November 29, 2015 / Inner West, Roseberry, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Rosebery in Sydney’s inner east has been exploding lately with new cafes. The latest I’ve noticed is 5th Earl Rosebery, a cute little place that opened a week ago near to my favourite Black Star.

When I saw the sign encouraging cake eating, I knew we had to try it out.

The cafe has a large indoor and outdoor area with plenty of tables and space. It has a bit of an eclectic vibe, with miss matched chairs and chalkboard menus.

At the counter lives a delicious looking assortment of pastries, including croissants by Grumpy’s.

We arrived during a particularly busy period and were delighted by the particularly good service. I’m pretty sure it was the owner who greeted us and cleared a table for us pronto, on the outdoor baloney area (always my fave place to sit cos the lighting is better!). The balcony is completely covered, so no chance of sunburn in high summer.

We ordered a fresh Apple Juice ($6), kids’ Bacon And Eggs (with bread soldiers, $9), Zucchini and Corn Fritters (with asparagus, shaved Spanish ham – exchanged for avocado – roasted tomatoes, 2 poached eggs and pomegranate molasses, $17) and the Burger (with fries, price unknown).

The eggs were a large serving and come in a choice of fried, poached or scrambled. We don’t eat bacon, so that’s not in the picture.

I appreciated the option to swap the ham for a vegetarian ingredient. I really enjoyed the fritters. The asparagus was a nice touch (love asparagus!), the roasted tomato was nice and juicy and the eggs perfectly poached.

Alec’s burger was a great size with a cute little container of fries. The apple juice was deliciously sweet. Really once of the nicest juices I’ve had in a long time.

The service was particularly noteworthy. After sitting down next to a large group, we were told that it would take 20-25 minutes for our meals and did we still want to wait. I really appreciated being told, particularly with the little one who has a short attention span.

The staff kindly put through Cheese’s dish quickly and ours followed soon after. Despite the warning of a long wait, the food all came out within 15 minutes of ordering. The staff repeatedly came and checked on us and our meals too, in case we needed anything. It’s service like this that turns curious diners into regulars.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

5th Earl Rosebery
34 Morley Ave,
Rosebery
Phone: (02) 8338 1110
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 6:30am-3:30pm
Get Directions

Best Babyccino in Sydney at Bar Contessa, Balmain

July 16, 2014 / Balmain, Inner West, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Ever in search of cool cafes that remind us of New York, Bar Contessa “a casual cafe/restaurant which brings a unique slice of New York City cool to the streets of Balmain” sounded right up our alley. In fact, on walking through the entrance, Alec remarked, “this is just like Brooklyn”. Result!

Bar Contessa is actually one of the longest-standing eateries on Darling St (it was established in 1992). The current owner and head chef, Marco Adoncello, took over almost 10 years ago. Since then, this family owned and operated cafe has become renowned for its American-inspired fare infused with Adoncello’s Italian heritage. Recent renovations brought a New York-feel to the cafe, with a bold, sprawling street art mural, leather booths, bare bricks and swinging bulbs.

Adoncello sources his fresh produce from friends and family who operate a range of fruit, vegetable and butcher businesses within Sydney. Bar Contessa’s free range eggs are delivered directly from a farm on the Hawksberry River, and their breads and sweets are delivered straight from the Luxe Bakery ovens to their café at 6am every morning.

I have to admit however, that Bar Contessa came to my attention through an Instagram photo I saw of their babyccinos. The most adorable babyccinos ever. And yes, that is what we are all about these days. Something to entertain the kid, and (hopefully!) exceptional food for the adults.

We were quickly seated during prime brunch hour on a Saturday, by a very friendly waitress. I couldn’t see the famed babyccino on the menu, so I asked the waitress if they had one. She confirmed that they do indeed, have the fancypants babyccino from my instagram feed, commenting that they get a lot of families dropping in particularly to try one.

Alec and I ordered the same dish, Rosa’s Breakfast Bruschetta (named after Adoncello’s wife: thick slice of toasted organic soy linseed sourdough w/smashed avocado, fresh roma tomato, basil, rocket, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic reduction & free range poached egg $16.50), and we shared a side of the Chunky Beer Battered Fries (served w/ ketchup & mayo). Bar Contessa doesn’t have a kids’ menu, but they do make dishes to order for little ones. We asked for a small scrambled egg and sourdough as it’s Miss E’s current go-to breakfast dish.

Our meals were delicious. The bruschetta had the prefect mix of creamy avocado, poached egg with balsamic cutting through it. The thick fries were to die for. Piping hot, soft on the inside, with a tasty batter that barely needed sauce.

We enjoyed our meals and entire dining experience so much that Bar Contessa is sure to become one of our regular haunts.

Last bite: There’s something for everyone at this stylish, Inner West cafe.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Bar Contessa
371b Darling St,
Balmain
Phone: (02) 9555 7399
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 7:30am-3pm
Get Directions